Al Markhiya topped the Group B standings after defeating Al Rayyan 3-2 in Round 3 of the 2023-2024 season Ooredoo Cup at the Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Stadium of Al Wakrah club on Saturday.

Yusupha Njie hit a brace (27th and 43rd minutes), while Driss Fettouhi added one in the 81st minute for Al Markhiya.

Al Rayyan’s goals were scored by Rodrigo Moreno (41st minute penalty) and Andre Amaro (59th minute).

Al Markhiya now have seven points, while Al Rayyan remained on three points.

The match started with Al Rayyan pressing hard against their opponents for much of the opening minutes.

Moreno had a clear chance of putting his side ahead in the 12th minute from a cross, but his jumping header went wide.

Njie opened the scoring for Al Markhiya in the 27th minute after jumping above others to head home a well-placed corner kick, which resulted from a 30-yard thunderbolt of a shot fired by Joao Teixeira earlier on, that goalkeeper Fahad Al Qesaimi could only parry.

Al Rayyan got a penalty call in the 36th minute after Moreno was hacked down in Al Markhiya’s penalty area. It was heavily protested by Al Markhiya players and bench and, after a lengthy VAR check, the call stood, allowing Moreno to restore parity for his side in the 41st minute.

Al Rayyan’s jubilation only lasted for 27 seconds as Njie got his brace of the night in the 43rd minute to restore Al Markhiya’s lead, much to the dismay of the rivals.

Njie was once again on target for his team in the fourth minute of added time, but his effort this time was cancelled after an offside ruling.

Much as Al Rayyan tried to equalise, Al Markhiya’s defence stood firm as they went into half-time with their lead intact.

Al Rayyan went a man down five minutes into the second half, with Moreno getting the marching orders for a bad tackle.

The disadvantage, however, did not deter Al Rayyan, as they got their equaliser in the 59th minute through Portuguese player Andre Amaro.

Al Markhiya got their third of the night to restore their lead in the 81st minute after a seemingly innocuous 30-yard shot by Driss Fettouhi, off a short corner kick, was fumbled into the net by goalkeeper Al Qesaimi.